Background Cases of COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly worldwide, with daily increases in the numbers of infections and deaths. COVID-19 spreads via airborne transmission, which renders dental treatment a potential source of virus transmission. Dental treatments require the use of handpieces, ultrasonic devices, or air–water syringes, which generate considerable amounts of aerosols. Jordan, being one of the affected countries, instituted preventive lockdown measures on March 17, 2020. Emergency dental treatments were only allowed in dental clinics of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces and Ministry of Health, and were prohibited in other sectors such as private clinics and universities. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the dental treatments performed in three military hospitals during the 44-day lockdown period in Jordan. The investigation explores the impact of COVID-19 on the number of patients and types of performed dental treatments. Methods Data such as number of patients, patients’ age and gender, and performed dental treatments were collected retrospectively from the hospital records and were analyzed. Results Our results showed a 90% (17,591 to 1689) decrease in patient visits during the lockdown period compared to regular days. The total number of treatments (n=1689) during the lockdown period varied between endodontic cases (n=877, 51.9%), extraction and other surgical cases (n=374, 22.1%), restorative cases (n=142, 8.4%), orthodontic treatments (n=4, 0.2%), and other procedures (n=292, 17.3%). The differences in gender and age group among all clinics were statistically significant (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the number of patients seeking dental treatments. It also affected the types of treatments performed. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% of patient load during the lockdown compared to approximately 20% during regular days.

BACKGROUND Cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly worldwide, with sharp daily increase in the numbers of infected persons and deaths. COVID-19 spreads via airborne transmission, which renders dental treatment a potential source of virus transmission. Dental treatments require the use of handpieces, ultrasonic devices, and/or air-water syringes, which generate considerable amounts of aerosols. Jordan, being one of the affected countries, instituted preventive lockdown measures from 17 March 2020. Emergency dental treatments were only allowed in dental clinics of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces and Ministry of Health and were prohibited in other sectors such as private clinics and universities. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the dental treatments performed in three military hospitals during the 44-day lockdown period in Jordan. The investigation explores the impact of COVID-19 on the number of patients and types of performed dental treatments. METHODS Data such as number of patients, patients’ age and gender, and performed dental treatments were collected retrospectively from the hospital records and were analysed. RESULTS Our results showed a 90% decrease in patient visits during the lockdown period compared to regular days. Treatments varied between endodontic (51.9% cases), extraction and other surgical (22.1% cases), restorative (8.4% cases), and orthodontic treatments (0.2% cases) and other procedures (17.3%). The differences in gender and age group among all clinics were statistically significant (P=.00 and P=.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the number of patients seeking dental treatments. It also affected the types of treatments performed. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% patient load during the lockdown compared to approximately 20% during regular days.

Eyelash trichomegaly is a rare disorder in which normal features of eyelashes such as length, color, thickness, or curling changes. It may occur due to many causes, such as the presence of other disorders such as HIV infection, congenital anomalies like oculocutaneous albinism, or Oliver–McFarlane syndrome. It may be linked to the use of certain drugs and can also be present as an isolated trait by birth. Here, we report a rare case of eyelash trichomegaly in a 19-year-old female having diffused alopecia, diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.